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Gecko’s Hospitality Group Reaffirms Commitment to Unidos Now Scholarships Scholarships Assist Future Leaders Academy Students Achieve Goals Contact Name: Anne Rollings Contact Email: office@geckoshospitality.com Contact Phone Number: 4045474100 The Gecko’s Hospitality Group family of restaurants has renewed its ongoing commitment as a Business Partner with Unidos Now, designating their Future Leaders Academy as direct recipients of a multi-year scholarship award. Gecko’s co-owners, Mike Gowan & Mike Quillen awarded the check at a presentation ceremony at the Fruitville Gecko’s. “We are very grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Gecko's Hospitality Group. Thanks to their continued support of the Latinx community more students and their families can pursue their postsecondary goals and realize their full potential,” said Cintia Elenstar, Unidos Now Associate Executive Director. “We understand that it is with the commitment of local business leaders and the strong Unidos Now leadership that the Future Leaders Academy is able to help students achieve their goals and be engaged citizens,” said Mike Quillen. “We believe that investing in the Future Leaders Academy as they explore and plot their career paths and consider what the ‘next step’ looks like for them aligns well with our company as we provide job opportunities and life experiences which complement the FLA programming.” The Gecko’s Hospitality Group has a long history of serving as Business Partners with dozens of schools in Sarasota and Manatee County, providing Super Student Free Meals to tens of thousands of elementary students and supporting untold numbers of philanthropies and charitable groups. Gecko’s was awarded the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s prestigious Restaurant Neighbor award for the entire United States in 2017. This honor recognizes outstanding restaurants around the country that go above and beyond in community service and aims to inspire other restaurateurs to get or stay involved in their local communities. Gecko’s Hospitality Group is locally owned and operated and employs over 600 Floridians. Since 1992, GHG has created steady economic stimulus, generating thousands of first-time jobs and launching the careers of scores of hospitality professionals. GHG has been consistently awarded “Best Of” in numerous categories and partners to serve countless schools and philanthropies. Gecko’s Grill & Pub’s have expanded to six locations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Gowan and Quillen’s Longboat Key gem, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill joined GHG in 2015 and in 2016, GHG welcomed Dockside Waterfront Grill in Venice to the GHG family. In 2021 Tripletail Seafood & Spirits opened as the newest venture. These nine restaurants along with the legendary tavern, Red Barn Bar, fortify the GHG’s mission to provide exceptional hospitality, fresh locally sourced fare with a gourmet twist and a menu that is accessible to everyone. Unidos Now’s mission is to elevate the quality of life of the growing Hispanic/Latino community in the Manatee and Sarasota region through education, integration and civic engagement. he Future Leaders Academy (FLA) is a rigorous year round program offered primarily to low-income, first-generation Latinx high school students and their families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The program provides college preparation for students interested in attending 4-year and 2-year college or pursuing a post-secondary path that includes a high-quality certification or technical career in addition to leadership skills and community service. For more information, please contact: office@geckoshospitality.com